BURUNDI: UNSC PRESS STATEMENT FOR JUNE 9 UNSC

UNCLAS STATE 058769 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC XA BY SUBJECT: BURUNDI: UNSC PRESS STATEMENT FOR JUNE 9 UNSC DEBATE ¶1. USUN is instructed to join consensus on the UN Security Council press statement on Burundi to be adopted on June 9 (para 2). USUN should refer any further substantive changes on the press statement to the Department prior to joining consensus for adoption. ¶2. Begin text: The members of the Security Council commend the advances in the Burundian peace process, in particular the disarmament of the Forces Nationales de Libration (FNL),its accreditation as a political party, its integration into national institutions and the release of the children associated with it. The members of the Security Council urge all the Burundian parties to pursue their efforts to address the remaining challenges, in particular the completion of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. The members of the Security Council express their appreciation and continued support for the sustained engagement of South Africa Facilitator, Regional Initiative, the African Union, the Political Directorate and other international partners towards peace consolidation in Burundi. They welcome the creation of the partnership for peace in Burundi and encourage its members to sustain their commitment to help the parties to reach a successful conclusion to the peace process. The members of Security Council welcome the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission and encourage the Government and all political parties and stakeholders to prepare the ground for peaceful, free and fair elections scheduled for 2010 in the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue enshrined in the Burundian Constitution and welcome the intention of the United Nations to assist in the process, at the request of the Government of Burundi. The members of the Security Council welcome the engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission and encourage it to continue to assist the Government of Burundi in laying foundations for long-term development in Burundi and in mobilizing the support needed to consolidate peace and security, in particular for the coming elections. The members of the Security Council encourage the Government of Burundi to pursue its efforts regarding peace consolidation challenges, in particular democratic governance, social and economic development, property restitution,justice and security reforms, and to continue to take steps to respect fully civil and political rights, to improve the human rights situation, including through fighting impunity, and gender based violence, establishing a National Independent Human Rights Commission bearing in mind the Paris Principles and to accelerate the consultations on the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms. CLINTON